Gem setting



Feb. 9, 1937. J DlNHOFER 2,070,157

GEM SETTING Filed June 16, 1936 INVENTOR (fa/115$? )in/znfer Patented Feb. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to articles of jewelry and particularly to gem settings, and has for its object the provision of a setting intended for use as a part of an article of jewelry, and which is a attractive in appearance; which will create the aspect of a larger stone or gem than that which is actually used; which will admit a maximum of light beneath the gem to increase the luster of the same; which will provide an increased amount of light-reflecting surface to enhance the appearance of the gem, and which will be strong and sturdy to safely, effectively and attractively hold and present the stone.

In the accompanying drawing, wherein several embodiments of the invention are shown, Fig. 1 is a plan View of a finger ring in which the improved setting is incorporated; Fig. 2 is a similar view of a modification; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the structure of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a plan View of the setting of Fig. 1 prior to the insertion of the stone; Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, and Fig. '7 is a sectional view on the line 1-4 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6, a finger ring is there shown, provided with a shank ll) of conventional form to which the improved setting is applied. The setting as shown in the drawing, comprises four ring-like or annular segments II, placed together as shown, with their peripheries in abutment and connected at such points of contact, designated at l2. The segments vll are angularly positioned, as is clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 5 so that they co-operate in the formation of a truncated cone. The inside surface I3 of each of the segments is highly polished or finished to form an angularly disposed cylindrical reflecting surface of considerable area, serving to reflect the light rays onto the under side of the stone and thereby greatly enhance its brilliancy.

The four segments when placed together as described and shown co-operate to form a central recess or enclosure I4 (Fig. 4) in which the stone I5 is mounted. In mounting the stone, shown at Hi, the segments II are each split radially as indicated at It in Fig. 4 and the central recess I4 is enlarged as required to accommodate the stone l5 by spreading or widening the splits 55 It, the ends I! of each segment forming prongs which overlie the face of the stone and hold it on the seat 2| as shown in Fig. 6.

In Figs. 2 and '7 is shown a modification wherein the gem-retaining prongs l8 are formed by metal disposed between the ends I! of the annular segments, and forced out to produce the prongs which overlie the stone and hold it against the seat 20.

The entire setting may be formed in several ways, such as for example by stamping it from sheet metal, in which case the several segments may be formed integrally from the beginning of the manufacturing operation. The segments can also be formed separately and united by soldering them together at their points of contact l2. They may be otherwise made as will be apparent to those skilled in this art. The several segments when placed together as disclosed form an exceptionally rigid structure surrounding the gem and fully protecting it. Said segments, co-operating in the formation of a conical structure, surround the gem and present by their surfaces I3, a maximum of cylindrical surface constituting a reflecting area, which, coupled with the amount of light admitted through the openings defined by the segments, greatly enhances the brilliancy of the stone.

While I have shown the setting as composed of four ring-like or annular segments, it will be obvious that the number of such segments may be increased or decreased according to the design of the particular article of jewelry of which the setting forms a part. I have shown the same as incorporated as part of a finger ring but it will be understood that it may also be part of any other article of jewelry.

What I claim is:

I. A gem setting comprising a stone enclosure formed by a plurality of annular segments placed together with their peripheries united, said segments being radially split, with the ends of the split portions overlying the stone located in the enclosure.

2. A gem setting comprising a stone enclosure formed by a plurality of annular segments placed together around a stone with their peripheries united, said segments forming a truncated cone and being split radially, the ends of the split portions forming prongs overlying the stone and holding it on a seat.

3. A gem setting consisting of four ring-like sections angularly disposed and connected at their peripheries, said sections being split to form prongs for retaining a stone between them.

4. A gem setting consisting of several annular sections angularly disposed and connected at their peripheries, said sections being split to form prongs for retaining a stone between them.

5. A gem setting consisting of several ring- 5 like sections angularly disposed to co-operate in the formation of a truncated cone, said sections being each radially split and connected at their peripheries, and gem-retaining prongs projecting from between the points of joinder of the several sections and overlying a stone held between the sections.

JULIUS DINHOFER. 

